Botox could be the solution to an overactive bladder A wee bit of Botox
If you are among the one in five people over 40 who suffers from an overactive bladder (OAB), Botox could prove to be the answer to your problem. The largest ever study of the treatment for OAB carried out at the University of Leicester found that just one injection reduced urgent dashes to the toilet for up to six months. The researchers hope this may lead to the licensing of Botox to treat OAB.
Early warning test for heart attack
A blood test to detect an impending heart attack weeks before it occurs could be on the horizon. Researchers in California found that cells from the inner lining of the arteries from heart attack patients are abnormally large and misshapen. They believe these could be early signs of plaque rupture, when a fatty deposit inside the arteries breaks off and forms a clot that blocks blood flow to the heart.
Could you help dizziness researchers?
Professor Adolfo Bronstein of Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading experts on dizziness, is looking for people who suffer from severe dizziness due to Meniere’s disease to take part in a new trial. It will compare whether a steroid injection is as effective as the traditional treatment gentamicin. Call the Department of Neuro-otology on 0203 313 5525 or email mitesh.patel1@imperial.ac.uk to find out more.
For better, for worse
Ever wondered why you feel worse before you feel better? It could be down to your immune system rather than the illness itself, say US scientists. Their research throws new light on what doctors call the acute-phase response that kicks in when your body is threatened by an invader, such as a virus or bacterium. This response puts healthy cells and tissue under stress, triggering a host of unpleasant symptoms.